Who may apply?

Any freshman, sophomore, or junior undergraduate may apply for a fellowship.

What kind of work qualifies as public interest?

Public interest law includes helping a wide array of individuals or organizations that lack sufficient resources to retain attorneys or to engage in sustained legal advocacy. The internship may be client oriented, direct-service case work, either civil or criminal, such as enforcement work by government agencies or class action litigation by public interest law organizations, or cause-oriented advocacy, such as nonprofit organizations' policy development and advocacy of legislative and regulatory reforms.

Do I have to have a placement before I apply? How do I find a host organization for the summer?

You do not have to secure a placement before applying. You should have some idea of what type of organization you would seek to work with and must commit to finding a placement. Career Services can assist in identifying possible work opportunities. If you are selected as a fellow, LAPA and the Liman Public Interest Program at Yale can help you find an internship in an area of your interest. You should consider placements that are consistent with your interests, qualifications, and experience.

During my fellowship summer, must I do particular kinds of work or tasks?

No, but you must confirm with your host organization that your primary work will be something other than clerical tasks and offer a substantial learning opportunity relating to law, broadly defined.

How many weeks of the summer should I spend with my host organization?

Generally, summer fellows spend 8-10 weeks with their organizations (Preference is ten weeks.) Student fellows are free to work more than 10 weeks.

What is the stipend amount?

The summer stipend is $4,000. (Students eligible for Federal Work Study will receive an amount equal to their mandated cap.) Additional funds from a separate grant may be accepted to help defray expenses. All funding must be disclosed at the time of receipt, including on the application, if awarded prior to the selection date. LAPA must approve acceptance of additional funding. You will be required to attest that you are not receiving additional compensation for the work performed during the fellowship period.

How do I apply for a Summer Fellowship?

Visit the LAPA Liman Fellowship web page for more information. A short essay, identification of two references, and a transcript comprise the essential elements of the submission. The electronic application will close at Noon on December 13, 2017.

What are the other requirements of the fellowship? Is a report required?

Those selected as fellows must attend the Liman Public Interest Law Colloquiumat Yale Law School on April 5-6, 2018. Liman Fellows are required to submit a final report describing their work at the conclusion of their fellowship. They are also required to participate in a workshop for Princeton students and faculty at which they share their experiences.

What are some examples of the kinds of placements I might explore?

Past placements of previous Princeton Liman Fellows have included:

ACLU Foundation of Southern California's Jails Project, Los Angeles

Alliance for Justice, Washington, DC

Center for Arkansas Legal Services, Little Rock

Center for Community Alternatives, New York

Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, NYU School of Law

Danish Institute of Human Rights

Human Rights First and Harper's Magazine (joint assignment)

International Center for Transitional Justice

Kansas Legal Services, Topeka

Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers For Human Rights

Legal Aid Bureau, Annapolis

Prison Visiting Project, Correctional Association of New York

Tenants and Workers Support Committee, Alexandria

Thelton Henderson Center for Social Justice, UC Berkeley School of Law

The Reinvestment Fund, Philadelphia

The Rockefeller Foundation

UNESCO

University Legal Services of Washington, D.C.

Work and Society, public interest law center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil